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Construction Health Hazards
Michael Heminuk, CSP
Objectives
• Identify common health hazards
• Describe types of common health hazards
• Apply health hazard protection methods
• Recognize employer requirements to protect workers from health hazards including Hazard Communication Program.
Health Hazards
Potential exposures to health hazards:
• Worker on the job
• Worker’s family.
NCDOT Health Hazards
• Lead
• Asbestos
• Silica
• Hexavalent Chromium
• Isocyanates.
Common Health HazardsChemical Physical
Biological Ergonomic
Common Ways Workers Encounter Chemical
Hazards
• Solids
• Liquids
• Gases
• Aerosols:– Dust, Mist, Fumes.
Asbestos
LeadSilica
Welding Fumes
Spraying Chemicals
Effects of Chemical Exposure
Health ProblemsHeart Ailments Lung Damage Sterility
CNS Damage Kidney Damage Burns
Cancer Liver Damage Rashes
ExplosionFire
Injection: Punctures through skin
Absorption: Drawn through skin or eye surface
Routes of Entry
Source: OSHA
Source: OSHA
Source: OSHA
Inhalation: Breathed in (Most common route)
Ingestion: Swallowing via eating or drinking
Source: CDC
Health Effects
Exposure Condition Exposure Example
ACUTE ImmediateShort-term, high
concentration
H2S exposure within a
confined space
CHRONICDelayed;
generally for years
Continuous; for long periods of time
Asbestosis
Acute Chronic
Lead Exposure Health Effects
Symptoms can include tiredness, weakness, weight loss, insomnia, headache, nervous irritability, fine tremors, numbness, dizziness, anxiety and hyperactivity which could potentially lead to:
• Damage of the nervous system and brain
• Anemia
• Kidney disease
Lead Exposure Limits
• Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) = 50 µg/m³ as an 8 hour time-weighted average (TWA)
– Employers shall implement engineering controls and safe
work practices to prevent exposure
– Employers shall provide protective clothing and where
necessary, and respiratory protection in accordance with
29 CFR 1910.134
• Action Level (AL) = 30 µg/m³ as an 8 hour TWA.
Medical Surveillance
In Construction, the employer shall provide initial medical surveillance for any employee exposed at or above the action level for any one day
Abatement Methods• Elimination
• Substitution
• Engineering Controls– Mechanical ventilation
– Isolation
• Administrative Controls– Housekeeping
– Personal hygiene practices
– Designated break areas
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)– Respiratory protection
– Protective work clothing
Asbestos
• Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength
• Used in building materials for resistance against heat and corrosion
Nova Development
• Airborne fibers range from 5 µm or greater, with a length-to-diameter ratio of at least 3 to 1
• ACM: “Asbestos-containing material,” any material containing >1% asbestos
• PACM: “Presumed asbestos-containing material” –thermal system insulation and surfacing material found in buildings constructed no later than 1980.
Asbestos
• Asbestosis: A serious, progressive, long-term non-cancer disease of the lungs
• Lung Cancer: Causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure
– Most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing
• Mesothelioma: A rare form of cancer found in the thin lining (membrane) of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart
– Most cases are linked to asbestos exposures
Asbestos Health Effects
Exposure Limits
• Permissible exposure limit – 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc) of air as an 8 hour TWA
• Excursion limit– Not more than 1 f/cc averaged over 30 minutes
• Monitoring– Initially for workers who are or may be exposed at or above the
PEL and/or above the excursion limit
– Periodic if above PEL or excursion limit
Chemical Hazard Protection
• Engineering– Ventilation (local/general)
– Process and equipment modification
– Isolation/automation
• Administrative– Monitor/measure exposure levels
– Inspections and maintenance
– Develop SOPs
• PPE– Respirators
– Gloves
– Safety glasses
– Protective clothing.
Local Exhaust Ventilation
Source: OSHA
Physical Hazards in Construction
• Noise
• Temperature extremes
• Vibration.
Effects of Exposure to Physical Hazards
Temperature Radiation Vibration Noise
Rash; Cramps Burns Fatigue Interferences
Exhaustion Sickness Strains Stress
Stroke Aging Carpal tunnel Tinnitus
Hypothermia Cancer HAVS Headaches
Frostbite DNA mutations Raynaud’s Hearing loss
Common Construction Noise Sources
Equipment Noise (dB)
Backhoe 85
Bulldozer 87
Router 90
Front end loader 90
Chop saw 92
Welding equipment 92
Nail gun 97
Jackhammer 102
Grader/scraper 107
Noise
Prolonged exposures to 85 dB can lead to hearing loss
Protection Against Physical Hazards
HazardEngineering
ControlsAdministrative
ControlsPPE
TemperatureHeaters; AC; windshields; ventilation
Water; Rest; Shade
Hoods; cooling vests; hard hat
liners
VibrationVibration reduction equipment
Train not to grip too tightly; Job rotation
Anti-vibrationgloves
Noise
Silencers;mufflers;
enclosures; sound barriers
Increase distance
between source and worker
Ear plugs; muffs
Biological Hazards in Construction
BloodWater/SewagePlants
AnimalsInsects Mold
Effects of Exposure to Biological Hazards
• Mild– Allergic reaction
• Serious– Tetanus
– Swine Flu
– SARS
– Avian Flu
– West Nile
– Lyme Disease
• Chronic/Terminal– HIV
– Hepatitis B & C
HIV-infected H9 T cell
Hepatitis C
Ergonomic Hazards in Construction
• Lifting and pushing– Heavy
– Awkward
– Repetitive
• Awkward grips and postures
• Reaching
• Using wrong tool or using tool improperly
• Using excessive force– Overexertion.
Effects of Exposure to Ergonomic Hazards
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
• Mild– Joint pain
– Swelling
– Sciatica
– Acute lower back pain
• Serious– Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
– Raynaud’s Phenomenon (White finger)
– Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
– Chronic lower back pain
– Tears (Rotator Cuff is common).
Protection Against Ergonomic Hazards
• Use ergonomically designed tools
• Use correct work practices– Proper lifting techniques
– Work station setup
• Ask for help when handling:– Heavy loads
– Bulky/Awkward materials
• Proper PPE.
Employer Requirements
Abide by OSHA regulations!
• Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for all chemicals
• Monitoring and protection programs
• Hazard Communication Program (HAZCOM)– Worker right to know
– Hazardous chemical training
– Written plan (Who, What, Where)
– Proper chemical labeling
– SDS
Multiple Health HazardsIn some cases, workers can be exposed to several health hazards at the
same time or on the same worksite over time.
This worker is simultaneously exposed to noise, silica dust, vibration, and ergonomic hazards.
Health Hazards in Construction
Questions?
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